Swan

Swans (genus Cygnus), the largest members of family Anatidae, are found in north and south, temperate and arctic zones, including Australia and South America.

There is some dispute as to the number of genera. Seven species of true swans are recognized. Tundra and trumpeter swans (Cygnus columbianus and C. buccinator) are native to Canada.

The tundra swan breeds in the lower arctic islands, Mackenzie Delta, northern Hudson Bay and northeastern Manitoba. The trumpeter swan breeds in the Yukon, the Grande Prairie region of Alberta and the CYPRESS HILLS. It has been reintroduced at Swan Lake, near Vernon, BC, and winters in western British Columbia. The mute swan (C. olor), native to Eurasia, has become established as a breeding bird in Canada.

The tundra swan, the most numerous swan in North America, has a population of about 200 000; the trumpeter swan, now greatly reduced, fewer than 15 000; the mute swan, perhaps 5000 feral individuals in North America.

Swan, Trumpeter
The voice of the trumpeter swan (loud and trumpetlike) helps differentiate it from the tundra swan (Corel Professional Photos).

Swan, Mute
Swans have longer necks with more vertebrae (23-25), shorter legs and larger feet than geese, which they superficially resemble (Corel Professional Photos).

Mute Swans
The mute swan, native to Eurasia, has become established as a breeding bird in Canada (Corel Professional Photos).

Swan Distribution

Author F.G. COOCH

Links to Other Sites
Trumpeter Swan
Hinterland Who's Who profile of the Trumpeter Swan.

All About Birds
Search this online bird identification guide for information on specific bird species found in North America. Click on the dynamic map of eBird sightings for a magnified view. From the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the US.

Canadian Biodiversity Website
A great information source for all budding biologists. Learn about biodiversity theory, natural history, and conservation issues. From McGill’s Redpath Museum.

Bird Studies Canada
The website for “Bird Studies Canada,” an organization dedicated to preserving wild birds and their habitats. Search this site for the latest information on bird sightings and populations, checklists and maps, species at risk, and more.

Captive Breeding and Reintroduction
Click on the animal names at the bottom of the page to find out more about the Toronto Zoo's captive breeding and reintroduction programs for rare and endangered species.